Distribution loss minimization by token ring control of power electronic interfaces in residential microgrids

Smart micro-grids offer a new application domain for power electronics. In fact, every Distributed Energy Resource (DER) includes an Electronic Power Processor (EPP) to control the power exchange with the grid. If such distributed EPPs perform cooperatively, all the available energy sources and energy storage units can be fully exploited, resulting in reduced power consumption from the utility, high power quality, and increased hosting capability by the utility. The paper shows that even in low-voltage meshed micro-grids, where the electrical distribution pattern is complex and sources and loads may vary during daytime, such cooperative operation can be achieved by a proper selection of the local control algorithms and by allowing narrowband communication capability among neighbor EPPs. In particular, the paper describes a token ring control approach which allows full exploitation of the micro-grid capabilities with marginal investment in the ICT infrastructure.